The Amazing Sony A1/A7/A9/APS-C & Anything else welcome Mega Thread!

f/2.8 said:
Depends what sort of portraits you want to shoot.

35mm is a good option for environmental portraits, 85mm/135mm is good for head and shoulders etc.

50mm isn’t a great focal length for portraits.
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Hoping to do mainly head & shoulders and possibly full body. Would a faster zoom be a better option? Tamron 28-75 f2.8?
 
saul01 said:
Hoping to do mainly head & shoulders and possibly full body. Would a faster zoom be a better option? Tamron 28-75 f2.8?
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I have the Tamron it’s an okay lens but it’s not as sharp at the longer end.

An 85mm would be a better option it will be sharper and have nicer oof areas but yeah you could use the Tamron.
 
f/2.8 said:
Depends what sort of portraits you want to shoot.

35mm is a good option for environmental portraits, 85mm/135mm is good for head and shoulders etc.

50mm isn’t a great focal length for portraits.
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As you say it depends what's wanted.

50mm is ok for a tighter environmental picture or even tighter as you can probably avoid any perspective difficulties a wider lens might pose whilst including some context and not being as far away as you'd need to be with a 85 or 135mm to do the same and if you're looking for a thin DoF look there's some scope for that with a wide aperture 50mm.

I'm not that into tight head and shoulder limited DoF people pictures but some of my favourite people pictures have been taken with 50mm lenses.

If thin DoF / apertures wider than f2.8 aren't required a zoom is possibly worth thinking about for those who like them. One thing I'd get over is any worry about sharpness. I remember the first time I was shocked at how sharp a picture was, it was a picture of my then gf I took with my Canon 20D and a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 at 50mm and f4, looking at the result it struck me that a lens can maybe be too sharp for a picture of your gf :D
 
Guys, I know the title says anything else welcome but not necessarily environmental discussion when we could be looking at the Amazing Sonys. I've given the thread a quick tidy up but feel free to join the other threads in Out of Focus :)
 
dod said:
Guys, I know the title says anything else welcome but not necessarily environmental discussion when we could be looking at the Amazing Sonys. I've given the thread a quick tidy up but feel free to join the other threads in Out of Focus :)
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What I had in mind by "anything else welcome" was anything Sony related as some people tend to have other Sony kit than A7x or A6xxx kit such as a compact or bridge etc and it seems nice to include that stuff. I also think it's quite nice and healthy to include comparisons and chat about other marques such as Fuji and Nikon etc and how it compares as it's nice to see a bigger picture and what developments are occurring in the industry and Sony's place in it all as this could affect our buying choices.

So that's what I meant by "anything else welcome." Anything that's Sony related in a wider sense to help to show and compare the performance of the Sony kit but not being blind to the rest and how it all compares. As to the non photography stuff. I can see how some might get irritated but it usually doesn't go on for too long. It's your site though but I do think it's a shame to lose some of the personality even though this is specifically a gear section of the forum.
 
f/2.8 said:
I have the Tamron it’s an okay lens but it’s not as sharp at the longer end.

An 85mm would be a better option it will be sharper and have nicer oof areas but yeah you could use the Tamron.
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Problem I have is that only have enough funds for either two used or one new. That's why I mentioned the Tamron.

Or the other option could be an adapter for Canon lenses and "borrow" a couple off brother.

This is only an semi enthusiastic hobby and nothing professional.
 
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woof woof said:
What I had in mind by "anything else welcome" was anything Sony related as some people tend to have other Sony kit than A7x or A6xxx kit such as a compact or bridge etc and it seems nice to include that stuff. I also think it's quite nice and healthy to include comparisons and chat about other marques such as Fuji and Nikon etc and how it compares as it's nice to see a bigger picture and what developments are occurring in the industry and Sony's place in it all as this could affect our buying choices.

So that's what I meant by "anything else welcome." Anything that's Sony related in a wider sense to help to show and compare the performance of the Sony kit but not being blind to the rest and how it all compares. As to the non photography stuff. I can see how some might get irritated but it usually doesn't go on for too long. It's your site though but I do think it's a shame to lose some of the personality even though this is specifically a gear section of the forum.
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Wasn't a biggie but a couple of people raised it so thought we'd just give it a quick clean up :)
 
saul01 said:
Problem I have is that only have enough funds for either two used or one new. That's why I mentioned the Tamron.

Or the other option could be an adapter for Canon lenses and "borrow" a couple off brother.

This is only an semi enthusiastic hobby and nothing professional.
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I'd probably look at something like the viltrox 85 f1.8 if the budget is really tight, £320 on amazon. I had the 50 1.8 and it's very sharp but af was very poor, & I sent it back.
 
dod said:
Wasn't a biggie but a couple of people raised it so thought we'd just give it a quick clean up :)
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A couple of people complained that there was a few posts about climate change?

Isn't that a bit odd?
 
A ps to what I wrote above...

One thing I do like about mirrorless after ignoring it for years is eye and face detect. I do like manual lenses but for some people shots I do find that AF and eye/face detect is just wonderful as I can just leave focus to the kit and devote more brain time to composition and looking for the right time to press the button and for that reason an AF lens makes a lot of sense for people shots even to a lover of manual primes :D
 
saul01 said:
Problem I have is that only have enough funds for either two used or one new. That's why I mentioned the Tamron.

Or the other option could be an adapter for Canon lenses and "borrow" a couple off brother.

This is only an semi enthusiastic hobby and nothing professional.
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This article might help https://www.shutterbug.com/content/...photos-one-pros-answer-may-surprise-you-video

General rule of thumb is that a longer lens is better for portraits because of the extra compression. Wider lenses also tend to distort features so for example a 50mm lens if shot tight it can skew your subjects features a little, exaggerates the size of their nose etc.

That is not to say that you can't use whatever focal length you prefer. The likes of the wee Tamron is a decent enough lens, with it being f/2.8 you will be able to blow the background out a bit. Something like an 85mm is a little more specialist.

On a budget you should be able to pick up the Sony 85mm f/1.8 for about £400 from the grey market companies like e-infin. Being f/1.8 it will help you blow out the background a little more if you use it wide open and it's a very sharp lens.

On the flip side of the coin though you might find the versatility of the zoom more useful. The Tamron isn't bad at all.

Maybe if your brother has a Canon 85mm ask for a lend of it and see how you get on before deciding what suits you best.
 
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saul01 said:
This is only an semi enthusiastic hobby and nothing professional.
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Exactly why tamron is a great option for you.
It's sharp enough for most things. Sure corners aren't the best 75mm f2.8 but are your portraits going to be in the corners or your landscapes shot at f2.8.

The AF is great, if you upgrade the body in future you'll enjoy the full eyeAF capability with this lens.
There are plenty of people shooting portraits with 24-70/2.8 zooms. On a budget or even otherswise this is simply a great all around lens which an 85mm prime or 50mm prime isn't.

Better to own one good all round lens than many mediocre ones or one really good specialist lens.

It's best to ignore the internet hyperbole which will tell you to buy 85GM or nothing else lol

If can't successfully shoot great portraits with the tamron it's not the gear that is the problem ;)
 
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f/2.8 said:
Fixed for you mate.
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Lol.

I've posted this photo in the GAS thread before. Basicaly back in May when I planned to sell all my Canon stuff and move over completely I wrote down on this Post-It for lenses I want. I crossed out all the ones I've bought, the only one left is still the 135GM.

Rpef2kc.jpg
 
f/2.8 said:
This article might help https://www.shutterbug.com/content/...photos-one-pros-answer-may-surprise-you-video


Maybe if your brother has a Canon 85mm ask for a lend of it and see how you get on before deciding what suits you best.
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Thank you, it all makes more sense now. I think I'll keep what I have at the moment and see how it goes with that before I do anything.

I know he's got a 100mm lens, not too sure about 85mm. He's also got the 70-200mm.

Maybe just buying the adapter would be the best upgrade for me, until I can save for the 85mm.
 
nandbytes said:
Exactly why tamron is a great option for you.
It's sharp enough for most things. Sure corners aren't the best 75mm f2.8 but are your portraits going to be in the corners or your landscapes shot at f2.8.

The AF is great, if you upgrade the body in future you'll enjoy the full eyeAF capability with this lens.
There are plenty of people shooting portraits with 24-70/2.8 zooms. On a budget or even otherswise this is simply a great all around lens which an 85mm prime or 50mm prime isn't.

Better to own one good all round lens than many mediocre ones or one really good specialist lens.

It's best to ignore the internet hyperbole which will tell you to buy 85GM or nothing else lol

If can't successfully shoot great portraits with the tamron it's not the gear that is the problem ;)
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Thank you, I think I'll get an adapter for the time being and use my brothers Canon Glass. I know for a fact it's just all sitting there gathering dust.
 
saul01 said:
Thank you, I think I'll get an adapter for the time being and use my brothers Canon Glass. I know for a fact it's just all sitting there gathering dust.
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Pick up a fe 85 1.8 for 400 used, very good purchase.
 
woof woof said:
There's a first look at the Sigma 45mm f2.8 at the rumor site...

https://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sony-tidbits-1062/

And there's a nice thread on it here...

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1608234

I don't remember the lens getting a lot of interest here and the f2.8 might not be exciting but it looks to be a good lens and the look it gives looks nice too but even though I only shoot in one shot mode I'm annoyed that it seems to have issue when used with continuous focus. I hope Sigma can fix it soon.

Another review...

https://dustinabbott.net/2019/09/sigma-45mm-f2-8-dg-dn-review-sony-fe/

An article linked in that last review...

https://www.sigma-sein.com/en/ohsone/45mm-f2-8-dg-dn-contemporary/

Anyone interested in a lens aimed at a look rather than ultimate sharpness across the frame?
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That really appeals, for all the reasons that I'd like another Samyang 50 f1.4 and why I DON'T want a Sony 85 f1.8. With a A7III I get no benefit from outrageous resolution and with the 24-105 I'm already finding the sensor is limiting quality as much as the lens. OTOH a lens that was acceptably & evenly sharp edge to edge at f4 and gave a beautifully smooth rending of both in and out of focus areas would have a very great deal to commend it.

For me the sticking point might be that I already have the Samyang 35 f2.8 which is smaller and a bit wider, and that 45mm isn't a focal length with any real appeal. 55 would be better, since it's starting to nudge towards portraits and 75mm would be LOT better.

I'm seriously tempted to get that Viltrox 85 f1.8 because of the rendering, even though I'd like the Sammy with a faster aperture.

Actually, being honest, what I really want is that Sigma 135 f1.8 in the classifieds, but I can't justify £700 on a lens that will get used a handful of times a year.
 
ancient_mariner said:
That really appeals, for all the reasons that I'd like another Samyang 50 f1.4 and why I DON'T want a Sony 85 f1.8. With a A7III I get no benefit from outrageous resolution and with the 24-105 I'm already finding the sensor is limiting quality as much as the lens. OTOH a lens that was acceptably & evenly sharp edge to edge at f4 and gave a beautifully smooth rending of both in and out of focus areas would have a very great deal to commend it.

For me the sticking point might be that I already have the Samyang 35 f2.8 which is smaller and a bit wider, and that 45mm isn't a focal length with any real appeal. 55 would be better, since it's starting to nudge towards portraits and 75mm would be LOT better.

I'm seriously tempted to get that Viltrox 85 f1.8 because of the rendering, even though I'd like the Sammy with a faster aperture.

Actually, being honest, what I really want is that Sigma 135 f1.8 in the classifieds, but I can't justify £700 on a lens that will get used a handful of times a year.
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The siggy is an awesome lens though, for those special shots that come around a handful of times a year [emoji6]
 
ancient_mariner said:
That really appeals, for all the reasons that I'd like another Samyang 50 f1.4 and why I DON'T want a Sony 85 f1.8. With a A7III I get no benefit from outrageous resolution and with the 24-105 I'm already finding the sensor is limiting quality as much as the lens. OTOH a lens that was acceptably & evenly sharp edge to edge at f4 and gave a beautifully smooth rending of both in and out of focus areas would have a very great deal to commend it.

For me the sticking point might be that I already have the Samyang 35 f2.8 which is smaller and a bit wider, and that 45mm isn't a focal length with any real appeal. 55 would be better, since it's starting to nudge towards portraits and 75mm would be LOT better.

I'm seriously tempted to get that Viltrox 85 f1.8 because of the rendering, even though I'd like the Sammy with a faster aperture.

Actually, being honest, what I really want is that Sigma 135 f1.8 in the classifieds, but I can't justify £700 on a lens that will get used a handful of times a year.
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One thing with wide to normal lenses is that sometimes I get comments like "Not too close!" and I have to explain it's a wide lens and isn't going to make a face fill the frame so if I think that's going to be an issue or think it's just nice to have a bit of space I think an 85mm is a nice thing to have and the f1.8 although not perfect does the job for me.

I have the 35mm f2.8 and the f1.8 but the Sigma 45mm f2.8 appeals to me because of the closer to 50mm length and the look which is an alternative to the sharp across the frame even at wide apertures modern lenses. I'd probably have got one by now but the issue with continuous focus is putting me off. I think from time to time I'll try and remember to look and see if they're done a firmware fix. If they do I might get one. I have the 55mm f1.8 but it's a different beast to this Sigma.
 
Pictures from a dull dull day and spotting on a bit. A7 with the Voigtlander 35mm f1.4 classic.

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This lens takes a bashing with some thinking it's complete rubbish but I like it :D It's beautifully made and handles perfectly, it looks gorgeous on the camera and there's enough resolution anywhere you'd want to place a main subject. The only issues to watch are flare but that can be striking, the very extreme corners are never sharp but you've never going to see that in a picture and the bokeh can be wild but at least it gives a different look :D

And a PS.
Like a lot of lenses it's not at its best at minimum focus distance so what I normally do is pull back a couple of inches and that seems to produce better result but I read that using a close up filter and setting focus at infinity improves things a lot so I might try that.

At a bit back from MFD without a filter, 100% crop.

hU0azM8.jpg
 
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